Lowering Grocery Prices Through More Competition

Councilman Dennis Wedin (M) proposed that the city should take action to lower food prices by increasing competition among grocery stores, suggesting competition analyses in planning, a "fast track" for new stores in detailed plans, and reviewing existing plans. The city responded that they are already actively working on this, citing the "New grocery stores – Proactive planning and land allocation" project, and deemed a fast track inappropriate as it could compromise quality assurance in the planning process and risk hindering sustainable urban development goals.